Zarma phrasebook

Zarma is the local language of southwestern Niger, including areas along the Niger River and in the Nigerien capital Niamey, and with 2 million speakers is the second-most spoken language in Niger after Hausa. Zarma is one of the dialects of the Songhay language and is mutually intelligible with Songhay dialects spoken in Eastern Mali.

source : Wikivoyage

Pronounciation Guide and Phrase List

Vowels

· There are ten vowels: /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/ and their nasalized counterparts which are denoted by either a tilde or a following 'n' or 'ŋ'.

Basics

· Keep in mind that greetings are very important in this region, and greeting someone often involves a plethora of questions (how are you/your family/your health/your work/etc.?). For most of these you can just respond "Baani Samay", or "Taali si no."

Months

· Many do not understand the Gregorian calendar and/or may use the Islamic calendar. The Gregorian calendar is thought of as "French" and, among those who do, the names of French months (in parentheses) are more readily understood.

· January,X (Janvier)

· February,X (Fevrier)

· March,X (Mars)

· April,X (Avril)

· May,X (Mai)

· June,X (Juin)

· July,X (Juillet)

· August,X (Aout)

· September,X (Septembre)

· October,X (Octobre)

· November,X (Novembre)

· December,X (Decembre)

Colors

· Black,Biiri ("black person: Borobi")

· blanc,Ikwaray ("white person: Gakwaray")

· grey,X

· rrd,Cirey

· bue,Boogu

· yellow,Sey

· green,Yargey

· orange,X

· purple,X

· brown,X

Bus and Train

· How much is a ticket to ____ ?,X ____ ?

· A ticket to ____, please.,X ____ X.

· Where does this bus go?,Man no zirjo ga koy ?

· How do I get to ____ ?,Man no ____ go?

· The bus arrives here at ____ ?,Man no ____ ga koy ?

· When does the bus for ___ leave?,waatifo no zirjo/kaaro kan ga koy _____ ga tun?

· When will the bus arrive at _____ ?,Waatifo no zirjo/kaaro ga to _____ ?